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TUFFY TODD'S 



ADVENTURE 



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TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE 



A TRUE STORY, 



By SAMUEL DOGGEREL, Esquire, 

OF PHILADELPHIA. 



^Mv5 



70 

PRINTED FOR 

Private Circulation. 



\ 



/Jill 5 



COPYRIGHT l886 BY GEORGE BARRIE. 



MR. and MRS. ORRIN TODD, 

IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE HAPPY HOURS SPENT 
AT HILLSIDE HOME, 

AND TO 

THE HIGHLY VALUED FRIENDS GATHERED FOR A TIME 
UNDER THE SAME HOSPITABLE ROOF-TREE, 

The accompanying Rhymes are affectionately dedi- 
cated by 

THE AUTHOR. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 

"Tuffy Todd's Adventure" is the record of 
an incident which actually occurred during the 
past summer while the writer was spending his 
vacation in a retired but charming part of the 
Catskill Mountains. 

It was written for the amusement of the guests 
at Todd's " Hillside Home," to whom the facts as 
set forth were familiar, and who will recognize in 
the following lines the story as it originally ap- 
peared in the so-called Dry Brook Evening Mail. 

S. D. 

Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 1886. 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



THERE is a little dog whose name 
Is Tuffy Todd, who has the same 
Wise look as many a dog you've met; 
And is a well-bred house-dog pet, 
But quaintly called in rhyme a hound, 
To please the poet's ear for sound. 
Round as a mole, he's fat and fair, 
And robed in coat of whitest hair ; 
His soft brown eyes are bright and clear, 
His little ears are quick to hear. 
He has a kind expressive face, 
With every feature full of grace ; 
In disposition meek and mild, 
He 's gentle as a little child ; 
But has his own peculiar way, 
A.s all who hear will surely say. 

5 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



He is to people so polite, 

You'd think he'd never bark or bite, 

But strangers climbing up the hill 

Will shout in vain: "You hound, be still!' 

And traveler late in midnight dark 

Is sure to hear Tuffs loudest bark, 

While tramps who come about the yard 

Must flee or face a valiant guard. 

Although he has a host of friends, 

To them he rarely condescends, 

And their caresses kindly made 

Are with indifference coldly paid. 

He lives for Master Orrin Todd 

And worships him as household god ; 

With him Tuff wildly romps and plays, 

And from his side but seldom strays. 

At times when Orrin goes away 

To tarry but a single day, 

He bids his Tuffy stay behind 

And try to have a peaceful mind. 

But Tuff, so sad and desolate, 

Lies down alone to meditate ; 

Or seeks the porch — a sunny place — 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



To watch for Todd's returning face, 

Or wait until the voice so dear 

Shall fall like music on his ear. 

Unmoved by other sight or sound 

He lies as if in thought profound. 

Call him, he seems both deaf and dumb 

Unless you say: "Ho! Orrin's come!" 

When quick, like one from sleep, he springs, 

And flies, as swift as bird on wings, 

To meet his master and his friend, — 

Then Tuffy's mourning has an end. 

His ways eccentric may appear, 

But in the sequel they'll be clear. 



Now little Tuff, it may seem strange, 
Had lived at home, nor thought of change 
But one calm morning clear and bright, 
As if new visions filled his sight, 
To Griffin 1 s Corners begged a ride 
In Orrin's wagon by his side. 
Good Master Todd could not deny 
The pleading of poor Tuffy's eye, 
And said : " Jump in and take a seat, 
And you shall have a royal treat ; 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



For though we go by mountain road 
And do not want a heavy load, 
Our sprightly horses strong and true 
Will never mind a mite like you." 
Then Tuff leaped in and sat erect 
As if to show his intellect, 
When off they rode with hearts of glee, 
And warmer friends you rarely see. 

Now Orrin thought it would be nice 
To give his Tuffy some advice : 
"Be careful, Tuffy mine," said he, 
"We go where many dangers be; 
Turn not aside nor leave my track 
Till setting sun shall warn us back. 
In town you will a stranger be ; 
Again I say: Go not from me." 
To which the simple dog replied : 
"Oh, never will I leave thy side, 
But follow where thy footsteps lead, 
Thou dearest friend in time of need." 
(Our Tuff can talk like dogs of old 
Of whom in fable ^sop told.) 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



Then Todd, to pass away the time, 

Thus entertained his guest in rhyme: 

"I've always made you stay at home 

And never let you widely roam, 

Because I feared you might be lost 

And by the world be rudely tossed ; 

Or lest in some unlucky way 

You might be hurt as on that day — 

That doleful, direful day, — when life 

And death seemed balanced in the strife. 

You then were but a little pup, 

And with a snail could scarce keep up, 

But seeing Flora's gentle pace, 

You thought with her you'd run a race! 

And as she moved along the road 

And pulled with care her heavy load, 

You chanced to fall beneath the wheel 

Which crushed your leg and made you reel. 

dreadful sight ! O fearful cry ! 

A mangled limb ! no surgeon nigh ! 

1 stanched the blood which freely flowed, 
And in my arms — a tiny load — 

I bore you safely to our door; 

Then said: 'You shall go out no more 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



Until your leg is fully healed, 

Or death shall take you from the field !' 

I set and bandaged well your limb, 

(Should surgeon doubt, I'd challenge him,) 

And laid you on an easy bed 

And saw that you were kindly fed. 

I closely watched you night and day 

And did not fail for you to pray ! 

When you had reached the third long week, 

Thank God ! (with reverence do I speak) 

'Twas plain you needed nothing more 

Than just to walk about the floor. 

At length, when people thought you dead, 

You left your room and little bed ; 

"He's tough," they said, "as hickory rod," 

And called you "Tough" then Tuffy Todd; 

And thus you see it strangely came 

You have a soft and pretty name. 

Now since to perfect health restored, 

To thank me well you can afford." 

Tuff answered: "Do you doubt, dear friend, 
That I shall thank you to the end ? 
Since I was struck by wheel so rude, 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



Have I not shown you gratitude? 
Have I not always been to you 
Obedient, faithful, good and true? 
Through evil and through good report 
I've never failed in my support! 
Forsaking friends, let none deny 
For you I've lived, for you I'll die; 
What care I for the world around 
When all my joy in you is found ? 
Please pardon if too bold I seem 
And hold me firm in your esteem." 

" I did not mean to grieve your heart, 

Good Tuff, nor cause a single smart, 

But just to have a little play, 

I thought I'd see what you would say 

In answer to my sober talk, 

While slow the horses onward walk." 

Conversing thus as friend with friend, 
At last they reach their journey's end. 
Todd's heart with anxious fears beset, 
Foreboding peril to his pet, 
He turns to Tuffy : "You've been warned 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



In language clear and unadorned, , 
To stay by me and to beware 
Of dangers lurking everywhere. 
Although no prophet born or bred, 
Though on my mind no light is shed, 
I fear from knowledge of your race, 
The day will end in your disgrace. ' ' 

Out jumped brave Tuff and Farmer Todd, 
But scarce had gone a single rod 
Before they heard: "Bow-wow! Friend Tuff! 
For that's your name I'm sure enough; 
How glad I am to see your face 
And give to you a friend's embrace ; 
Now while in town, stay thou with me, 
And boon companions we will be." 
Then Tuff, (poor "Innocent abroad," 
Who never dreamed of any fraud,) 
Replied: "Perhaps we've met before, 
I'll take your word and ask no more: 
It would not seem polite, I know, 
Should I refuse with you to go." 
Away they marched, as large as life, 
Their hearts with hope and pleasure rife, 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 13 

And wandered in their heedless play, 
Through many a dark and devious way. 
Unchecked they raced and chased around, 
A lawless cur and recreant hound ; 
They took no note of time, nor cared 
How far they strayed nor how they fared ; 
For Tuff could not foresee his woes 
Till darkness did around him close. 

Oh, Tuffy, born and reared in ease, 
With bread enough to eat and cheese, 
Where now thy master's tender care? 
Where now the bed thou erst didst share? 
Thy new-made friend all false will be 
In time of thy adversity ! 
Upon the cold, cold ground to-night 
No sleep shall come ere morning light, 
Nor morsel sweet for hungry maw, 
Nor peace for nature's broken law ! 

The westering sun had low declined, 
When homeward with an easy mind 
Good Orrin turned his horses' feet, 
Expecting there his dog to meet ; 



14 TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 

But drawing near, no Tuff was found 
To greet him with accustomed sound. 
Poor Orrin could not sleep a wink, 
But lay awake all night to think 
How sad the fate of Tuff might be, 
Who late was in prosperity. 

Back, in the early morning bright, 

To Griffin's Orrin took his flight, 

But thoughts of Tuff so filled his mind 

No other thought a place could find, 

And as he passed each neighbor's door 

'Twas little known the load he bore. 

The dogs ran out and barked so bold 

They wakened echoes in the wold, 

While ducks and geese joined in the strife 

And quacked and screamed for their dear 

life. 
Then proudly crowed vain chanticleer: 
" I am, you see, without a peer, 
Let none within my realm intrude 
To scare my hens and little brood." 
But patient kine in farmyard pent 
Were mute with meek-eyed wonderment, 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 15 

While grazing sheep on hillside near, 

Heard all and said: "We need not fear;" 

Each mother called her own dear lamb, 

Who answered back: "Oh, here I am!" 

The squirrel with his nimble feet 

Now quickly found a safe retreat, 

And from the wall, or limb on high, 

Peeped slyly out as Todd went by. 

The birds from out the leafy trees, 

So gently swayed by morning breeze, 

Poured forth their notes in merry lay 

And sang: "Good speed and happy day!" 

And insect world, on joyous wing, 

In sunlight clear did sweetly sing, 

Or hum in myriad tones so gay : 

"We cheer the traveler on his way." 

But ferns and flowers in wayside beds 

With meek surprise did lift their heads 

And whisper low: "Our friend's in haste 

And has no time on us to waste. 

In days gone by he'd stop awhile 

To praise our charms and make us smile, 

Or take us in his gentle hands 

As if rare gifts from foreign lands." 



1 6 TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 

And thus each loving, living thing 
Had kindly thought or word to bring, 
Which proved a balm to soothe Todd's soul 
As he moved onward to his goal. 

The livelong day through street and lane 
He sought his dog, but sought in vain ; 
From house to house he asked each man, 
"Where's Tuff? Pray tell me if you can." 
"Why, Tuff has gone with Bruno Brown, 
A dog," they said, " of poor renown." 
It was enough to turn one's brain 
To always hear this sad refrain. 

Retracing now in twilight drear 
His weary steps, Todd dropped a tear 
And took with heavy heart the way 
His feet had pressed at opening day, 
And walked in doubt and gloom along 
Where late he sang his cheerful song, — 
Where frisked his faithful dog with glee 
And kept him joyful company. 

Poor Tuff, a wanderer forlorn, 

Now loud bewailed that he was born ! 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 17 

For though in darkness and in grief, 
There came no friend to his relief. 
But being born he did not care 
Just then to die. With reason rare, 
He searched along the dusty ground 
To see where footprints could be found, 
When he with keen instinctive nose 
Discerned the course of Orrin's toes ! 

Then light and hope began to rise 
And cheer the darkness of his skies, 
While slow he kept the lonely road 
Which led him safe to his abode. 
Scarce twelve had struck the kitchen clock 
When lo ! was heard a scratch or knock. 
"Oh!" said his wife: "Oh, Orrin dear! 
The lost is found ; our Tuff is here ! ' ' 
Then up sprang Orrin with a bound, 
And welcomed home his truant hound, 
Whose downcast eye and trembling frame 
Betrayed a sense of guilt and shame. 

But Todd in sweet forgiving mood 
Spread Tuff a couch and gave him food, 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



And bade him now find rest in sleep, 
And thus forget his sorrows deep. 
Then Tuff in silence ate his meal, 
But made by looks this sad appeal : 
" Oh friend, in sorrow and in cheer, 
There's none on earth as you so dear; 
For all the trouble I have brought 
I am not worthy of your thought, 
And would receive a just return 
Should you my presence coldly spurn, 
Or from me turn with angry frown 
And let me in despair sink down. 
I will not plead in self-defence 
Nor try to prove my innocence, 
But truth requires that I should say 
How I was duped and led astray 
By cunning dog, who boldly claimed 
He'd seen my home ere I was named- 
Had heard of Tuffy Todd before 
When passing by our cottage door ! 
He led me captive at his will 
And made me suffer direst ill, 
Which was no more than I deserved, 
Who from the path of duty swerved. 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 19 



I have my sins and woes confessed, 
And ask forgiveness, peace and rest. 
Oh grant the mercy which I crave 
Or I shall find an early grave!" 

To such petition all unused, 

With faltering words and eyes suffused, 

Kind Orrin made this brief reply : 

"The same true friends are you and I; 

As we have ever been before 

We will be now and evermore. 

And since you mourn this first offence 

With deep and humble penitence, 

I grant forgiveness full and free, 

And trust no lapse again to see." 

To banish care and doubt and fear 

And waken hope and faith and cheer, 

Good Orrin, with a tact supreme, 

From great to small then changed his theme. 

"My dog," quoth he, "with morning sun 

I'll see what can for you be done. 

There comes just now this happy thought — 

For you a collar shall be bought, 



TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. 



That if perchance you go astray 
You will be known, though far away. 
On it must be inscribed your name 
And Latin words to give you fame ! 
Nil desperandum, they shall be, 
And from despair may you be free ! ' ' 

What more did pass between these friends, 
The curtain now around descends; 
Their mutual, joys, their mutual woes, 
The poet's pen may not disclose. 
To dog and master, both so true, 
Long life and peace, and our adieu. 

Now turning from the gay or sad, 
This moral we will simply add : 
Ye maidens fair and comely youth, 
Accept the words of love and truth : 
Not all is gold with golden gleam, 
Not all are friends who friendly seem ; 
The tried, the trusted and the true, 
These are the friends we name for you. 



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